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Oracle Database vs ScyllaDB

Oracle Database logo

Oracle Database

Software

The world's most complete, reliable, and secure database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ScyllaDB logo

ScyllaDB

Software

The real-time big data database compatible with Cassandra

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Oracle Database high licensing costs for Enterprise Edition with option packs potentially doubling the effective per-processor cost; ScyllaDB aWS Marketplace lists ScyllaDB Enterprise (sold directly by ScyllaDB, Inc) at $1.63 per hour for the recommended i3.4xlarge instance size, license and enterprise support bundled in
  • They diverge on capability: Oracle Database covers PL/SQL, ScyllaDB covers Cassandra Compatible.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Oracle Database and ScyllaDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Oracle Database and ScyllaDB differ
AttributeOracle DatabaseScyllaDB
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsOn-premises, Oracle Cloud, Linux, Windows, UnixLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web
Founded19772015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Oracle Database

  • PL/SQL
  • Real Application Clusters
  • Data Guard
  • Advanced Compression
  • Partitioning
  • In-memory Database
  • Multitenant Architecture
  • Oracle Cloud

Only in ScyllaDB

  • Cassandra Compatible
  • DynamoDB Compatible
  • 10x Throughput
  • Low Latency
  • Auto-tuning
  • Lightweight Transactions
  • Change Data Capture
  • Cassandra Drivers

Both cover

  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Oracle Database

  • Transaction processingnot ScyllaDB
  • Data storagenot ScyllaDB
  • Application backendnot ScyllaDB
  • Reportingnot ScyllaDB
  • Data analyticsnot ScyllaDB

ScyllaDB

  • Real-time applicationsnot Oracle Database
  • Content managementnot Oracle Database
  • User profilesnot Oracle Database
  • Mobile backendsnot Oracle Database
  • Cachingnot Oracle Database

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Oracle Database

  • High licensing costs for Enterprise Edition with option packs potentially doubling the effective per-processor cost
  • Requires skilled database administrators for proper setup, configuration, and maintenance
  • High hardware requirements increase infrastructure costs; less suitable for resource-constrained environments

ScyllaDB

  • AWS Marketplace lists ScyllaDB Enterprise (sold directly by ScyllaDB, Inc) at $1.63 per hour for the recommended i3.4xlarge instance size, license and enterprise support bundled in

Pricing, plan by plan

Oracle Database

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Oracle Database review.

ScyllaDB

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Cloud$0.3/hour
    • Managed service
    • Pay per hour
    • Enterprise support

Which should you pick?

Choose Oracle Database if

  • You need pl/sql.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on On-premises, Oracle Cloud, Linux, Windows, Unix.
  • You also want real application clusters.
Oracle Database review

Choose ScyllaDB if

  • You need cassandra compatible.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web.
  • You also want dynamodb compatible.
ScyllaDB review

Questions people ask

Is Oracle Database or ScyllaDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Oracle Database starts at Free and ScyllaDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Oracle Database or ScyllaDB?
Oracle Database starts at Free and ScyllaDB at Free.
Does Oracle Database or ScyllaDB run on more platforms?
Oracle Database runs on On-premises, Oracle Cloud, Linux, Windows, Unix. ScyllaDB runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web.
Can I use Oracle Database for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Oracle Database best used for?
Oracle Database is most often used for transaction processing, data storage, application backend, reporting. Of those, transaction processing and data storage are not what ScyllaDB is typically brought in for.
What can Oracle Database do that ScyllaDB cannot?
Oracle Database covers PL/SQL, Real Application Clusters, Data Guard, Advanced Compression. ScyllaDB covers Cassandra Compatible, DynamoDB Compatible, 10x Throughput, Low Latency. Both handle Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Oracle Database: What is the licensing cost of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition?

Oracle Database Enterprise Edition is priced at 47,500 USD per processor as of April 2026. Named User Plus licensing costs 950 USD per user. Pricing varies based on licensing metric chosen.

Source
Oracle Database: Does Oracle Database offer a free tier or trial?

Oracle Database offers Oracle Database Free Edition, a no-cost version for development and testing. However, no free trial is available for paid editions.

Source
Oracle Database: What are the deployment options for Oracle Database?

Oracle Database can be deployed on premises or through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Pricing and features vary based on deployment model selected.

Source
Oracle Database: What database management capabilities does Oracle Database provide?

Oracle Database is a converged, multi-model database management system offering in-memory computing, NoSQL, and MySQL database options with comprehensive data management and security features.

Source
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